Burrels Ford to Lick Log Branch (Section 1)
South Carolina – US Georgia – US
- Class
- II to IV
- Length
- 7.4 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 53 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 2,049 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 1,706 Feet
- Typical season
- January to December
Current Flow
44 CFS
Gauge height: 0.78 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:45 PM
● 0.00/hr (12h) ● 0.00/hr (24h)
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- CHATTOOGA RIVER AT BURRELLS FORD,NR PINE MTN,GA Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 375 |
| Average | 500 |
| Maximum | 1,600 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
Section 1 is another excellent float on the Chattooga. The scenery and wilderness feel make this run a top pick by many. Even though the bulk of the run is class II water this is not a great section for beginners because of the remoteness and class IV drops or portages one has to deal with. For the more adventurous boaters, those class IV drops can be run in the Rock Gorge area as well as Big Bend Falls (recommended portage of these falls). Because of the remote wilderness feel of this section of the Chattooga, you should be prepared as well as a self reliant boater.
Note: the upper setion of the Chattooga have some of the strangest boating permits and regulations in the US. Check out the permit section for details. Just know that unless flows have been in the 350+CFS range you won't be allowed on the river.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Big Bend Falls | V to V+ | —–— | This is a 20 to 30 foot cascade. Most portage boats on river right. |
Scout and/or portage on river right. |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Burrels Bridge Road | 2,049 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Access the Burrels Bridge Road from Highway 107 or Highway 28. The fastest way would be to head west on the Burrels Bridge Road from Highway 28 until it crosses Chattooga (roughly 3 miles). You launch at the bridge. |
| Take-Out | Lick Log Creek | 1,706 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | This take out is actually a trail on river left where the Lick Log creek enters the Chattooga. The hike out is about a mile to the small lake and parking lot on the Nicholson Ford Road. This parking lot can be accessed by turning west off of Highway 28 onto the Village Creek Road. Follow Village Creek for about 2 miles and then turn right onto Nicholson Ford Road and follow it to the end by the lake. |
Camps
No river camps added yet.
Permit
Andrew Pickens Ranger District
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mountain Rest, SC 29664
Phone: (864) 638-9568
Fax: (864) 638-2659
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon
and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Permits mus be obtained before getting on the river. Permits are free.
Entire Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
1. Each floating group must register.
2. Air mattresses, motorized craft and craft deemed unsafe by the U.S. Forest Service are prohibited.
3. All individuals using decked craft must wear a helmet.
Above Highway 28 Bridge
1. Boating is permitted from the Green Creek confluence to the Lick Log Creek confluence on the main stem of the Chattooga River December 1 to April 30.
2. Boating is permitted from the time that flows reach 350 cfs or greater at the USGS Burrells Ford gauge during daylight hours (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset).
3. Once boating is allowed, it may continue until 30 minutes after official sunset on that same day.
4. Individuals must use only tandem/single capacity hard boats or tandem/ single capacity inflatable boats.
5. Rafts and inner tubes are prohibited.
6. A minimum of two craft are required per boating group. Boating groups are limited to no more than six people.
7. Boating in the tributaries within the wild and scenic river corridor is prohibited.
8. All individuals using boats must wear a properly fitted life jacket rated “Coast Guard Approved” and a helmet.
9. Boaters must use only the designated put-in or takeout locations at Green Creek, Norton Mill Creek, Bull Pen Bridge, Burrells Ford Bridge and Lick Log Creek.
10. Cutting or removing trees or logs without agency approval is prohibited.
11. Commercial boating is prohibited.
Below Highway 28 Bridge
1. Rafts must have a minimum of two air chambers.
2. Each rafter, canoeist and kayaker above Earls Ford must have a lifesaving device available.
3. All individuals using boats below Earls Ford must wear a properly fitted life jacket rated “Coast Guard Approved.”
4. Inner tubes are prohibited below Earls Ford.
5. A minimum group size of two craft is highly recommended below Earls Ford.
6. All individuals using boats below Woodall Shoals must wear a helmet.
7. Groups with more than 24 individuals and/or commercial activities are prohibited without a U.S. Forest Service Special Use Permit.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
External Links & Resources
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Community Run Notes
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